Gurpurb celebrations: Amidst the anticipation of the grand celebration of Guru Nanak’s Parkash Gurpurb in Nankana Sahib, the Sikh community faces an unexpected hurdle. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President, Harjinder Singh Dhami, voiced his concern on Thursday over the denial of pilgrimage visas for Gurpurb celebrations to nearly half of the 1,684 applicants.
Gurpurb celebrations Visa Issues
The SGPC, known for sending the largest contingent of pilgrims, had submitted the passports to the Pakistan embassy in New Delhi for visa approval.
Dhami expressed his disappointment, terming the denial of visas for Gurpurb celebrations as unfortunate. “The SGPC always sends the passports as per the quota of Punjab. But it is sad that visas were not granted to almost 50% of the pilgrims. This has hurt their sentiments. The governments of both countries must look into it,” he emphasized.
During his recent visit to Pakistan, Dhami raised the issue with the authorities, receiving assurances of sincere efforts to address the matter. However, reality paints a different picture, prompting the SGPC to consider sending a delegation to the Pakistan embassy in New Delhi to highlight the urgency of the situation.
The scheduled departure of the pilgrim jatha to Pakistan on November 25 through the Attari-Wagah border adds urgency to the matter. The devotees aim to participate in the celebrations at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib on November 27, marking Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary. Additionally, they plan to visit various historic gurdwaras during their 10-day pilgrimage, concluding on December 4.
Sikh pilgrimages to Pakistan are a customary practice, with the SGPC sending the largest group of pilgrims. Four Sikh jathas embark on these journeys annually, each holding cultural and religious significance. This particular jatha’s focus on the celebration at Nankana Sahib makes the denial of visas especially disheartening for the affected devotees.
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